PSA grading in Europe: prices, turnaround and the grading scale
PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) is the world's largest grading company and has defined the standard for trading card grading since 1991. Here's everything you need to know before you submit your Pokémon cards: what it costs, how long it takes, and what the grades mean.
PSA slabs have the broadest recognition in the global secondary market.
PSA 10 Base Set cards typically set auction records.
From 80-90 business days down to 25-30 business days at PSA.
PSA prices through Slabbed.eu
Indicative prices per card, including PSA's own grading fee, Slabbed.eu's handling and applicable taxes. The final price is confirmed before submission based on the current exchange rate. Unlike BGS and CGC, PSA adds upcharges: the price follows the card's declared value, so if the value exceeds the maximum for the chosen tier, the card automatically moves up to the next, more expensive tier. See the "Max value" column below.
| Tier | Turnaround at PSA | Max value | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| PSA Standard Intro | 80-90 business days | Up to ~€900 per card | €52.49 |
| PSA Standard | 80-90 business days | Up to ~€900 per card | €62.99 |
| PSA Priority Intro | 70-80 business days | Up to ~€1,300 per card | €73.49 |
| PSA Priority | 70-80 business days | Up to ~€1,300 per card | €83.99 |
| PSA Express | 25-30 business days | Up to ~€2,200 per card | €208.95 |
| PSA Express Plus | 25-30 business days | Up to ~€4,500 per card | €366.45 |
| PSA Premier | 25-30 business days | Up to ~€9,000 per card | €628.95 |
| PSA Elite 1 | 25-30 business days | Up to ~€22,000 per card | €1,048.95 |
| PSA Elite 2 | 25-30 business days | Up to ~€45,000 per card | €2,098.95 |
| PSA Elite 3 | 25-30 business days | Up to ~€90,000 per card | €3,148.95 |
| PSA Elite 5 | 25-30 business days | Up to ~€220,000 per card | €5,248.95 |
| PSA Elite 10 | 25-30 business days | No stated limit | €10,498.95 |
What happens if PSA pauses submissions?
If PSA temporarily closes for new submissions, we keep the cards insured until PSA reopens. If the price rises, a surcharge matching the increase may apply.
How to read a PSA grade
| Grade | Label | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Gem Mint | Practically perfect. Sharp corners, correct centering, no surface defects. |
| 9 | Mint | Very near perfect, a single minor flaw. |
| 8 | NM-MT | Near Mint to Mint. Light wear that doesn't stand out. |
| 7 | Near Mint | Solid collector quality with discreet signs of use. |
| 6 and below | EX-MT to Poor | Visible signs of wear. Valuable on vintage cards. |
Calculate your PSA price
Calculate the price of your PSA submission including applicable taxes and our handling, before you send your cards.
Grading price calculator
Includes the grading company fee and Slabbed handling. Prices shown include applicable VAT. Bulk discount: BGS 5% from 5 cards and 10% from 10, CGC 3% from 5 cards and 5% from 10. Return shipping is tracked with GLS at €6.70 per submission. Shipping to us is paid by you. Optional insurance: €2 per started €135 of declared value.
Frequently asked questions about PSA grading
What does PSA grading cost from Europe?+
PSA Standard Intro is a limited time price at €52.49 per card including applicable taxes and Slabbed.eu's handling. Standard is €62.99 and Express €208.95. PSA prices by declared value, so a more valuable card moves up into a more expensive service level.
How long does PSA grading take?+
PSA's official turnaround times are typically 80-90 business days for Standard, 70-80 for Priority and 25-30 for Express and above. Add another 2-3 weeks for shipping to and from the US. We keep you updated the whole way in your Slabbed.eu account.
Why is PSA so popular in the Pokémon community?+
PSA has graded trading cards since 1991 and holds the largest population report database in the world. For vintage Pokémon (Base Set, Jungle, Fossil, Neo), PSA slabs historically achieve the highest resale prices, especially in the US secondary market. Iconic cards like a Base Set Charizard PSA 10 sell for $100,000+.
What does PSA 10 Gem Mint mean?+
PSA 10 is the highest grade on the PSA scale and means the card appears perfect: sharp corners, clean edges, correct centering and a surface free of print defects or handling marks. A PSA 10 can multiply the value compared to a PSA 9.
Is PSA better than BGS for Pokémon?+
For vintage Pokémon, PSA typically achieves higher resale prices and broader recognition. For modern cards, especially investment-grade and chase cards, many prefer BGS because of sub-grades and the legendary Black Label 10. See our full comparison on the PSA vs BGS vs CGC page.
Does PSA use half grades?+
Only one: PSA 1.5 (Fair). Above that the scale runs in whole points, so there is no PSA 9.5. A PSA 9 is 'Mint' and a PSA 10 is 'Gem Mint', and that single step is usually the biggest jump in value. PSA also uses qualifiers such as OC, ST, PD and MK for cards with one specific flaw.
Can I get my PSA slab regraded?+
Yes. Either through PSA's own review service, or by cracking the slab and resubmitting the card. It carries some risk because the card leaves its protection, but it can make sense if you think a 10 is within reach.
Can you help with old Pokémon cards from 1999?+
Yes. We're happy to assess your vintage cards before submission. Cards from the Base Set, Jungle, Fossil, Team Rocket, Gym and Neo series are often high value even in lower PSA grades, and we help you decide whether grading is worth it.